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MPR sues Comcast over fees

Minnesota Public Radio is taking cable giant Comcast to court over a contract signed 28 years ago, when cable first came to St. Paul.

The public radio network alleges Comcast owes the public-radio network money as part of a 1983 agreement, which obligates the owner of the city's cable franchise to make annual payments to MPR for its role in helping secure and operate the franchise.

The original company, Continental Cablevision, agreed to pay MPR a flat fee of $100,000 a year plus 3 percent of the St. Paul subidiary's profits. Continental's successor companies have abided by the agreement, according to the lawsuit filed last month.

But Comcast and MPR are now at odds over how to calculate the variable amount due to MPR.

Comcast has moved to dismiss the lawsuit. A hearing has been set for May 26.